Manila: Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced plans to travel to France to refile a 'red notice' request with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) against the former Ako Bicol Party-list congressman, Zaldy Co.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Interpol's headquarters, located in Lyon, France, will be the destination for Remulla's upcoming visit. An Interpol red notice serves as a global request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The Philippine government initially submitted this request in April of the current year.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Remulla shared that he will be accompanied by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on this trip. Co's last known location was Prague, Czech Republic. Remulla stated, "We are filing a red notice for Zaldy Co again. Coincidentally, I am also going to Lyon, France to follow up on his red notice with Interpol. So Ombudsman Boying announced that he is going to Paris also to talk to the authorities there."
Remulla emphasized his collaboration with Interpol while the Ombudsman will engage in diplomatic efforts to apprehend Co. He withheld comments on any further developments until additional reports are reviewed. The search for Co and his alleged co-conspirators in a significant flood control scandal remains active, although no surrender feelers have been reported by the Philippine National Police or Remulla's office.
Co faces an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan alongside Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, linked to plunder charges involving over PHP7 billion in alleged kickbacks from various government projects. Romualdez was apprehended at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City following a reported 'cardiovascular event.'
In April, Co was tracked traversing Europe by land, moving from Portugal to France and eventually reaching Prague. His Philippine passport had been canceled, and he was found without proper documentation at the time. Czech authorities initially detained but later released Co. Prior to this, he had been located in Portugal.
